If you live in the 905 Region, there is a good chance you live relatively close to a gravel quarry, and there’s a good chance that the existence of the quarry is or has been controversial. Aggregates, to give them their proper name, are one of the constituent ingredients in a huge amount of infrastructure.
Multiple environmental groups have recently formed the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition aimed at province-wide change to the aggregates industry. They are calling for an immediate moratorium on all new gravel mining approvals in Ontario, to allow a pause and consultation on a new approach to balancing the need for aggregates for infrastructure with the needs of the environment.
We are joined by Greg Sweetman, EVP of James Dick Construction to put the aggregate industry’s case, and singer, songwriter and activist Sarah Harmer and activist Graham Flint, co-chairs of the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, to explain why they think now is the right time for a moratorium.
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Nicholas Paul: sound editing.
The Quadrafonics: fantastic opening and closing tunes!